King of Rock & Roll

Little Richard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 23, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collector's Choice
• ASIN: B00284G2OO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,026 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Little Richard's second Reprise album treads water, June 27, 2009

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: King of Rock & Roll (Audio CD)

After his Reprise debut, 1970's swamp-funk infused The Rill Thing, failed to garner commercial attention, Little Richard hooked up with mainstream producer H.B. Barnum and crafted an updated version of his 1950's R&B-tinged rock `n' roll sound. This is a more flamboyant and self-celebrating affair than its predecessor, from the album's title track to the lengthy, self-aggrandizing introduction he gives himself on the cover of Hoyt Axton's "Joy to the World." Those who remember Richard's television appearances in the 1970s ("Shut up!") will recognize the character here.

As great as were the brassy, bass-heavy arrangements of The Rill Thing, Barnum's production update doesn't work. Richard's belting vocals sound out-of-time against the flaccid, near-disco arrangements of "Joy to the World" and "Brown Sugar." Better are the funky, hyperventilating reinterpretation of "Dancing in the Street" and the soul shout of "Midnight Special," though here again the early `70s backing vocals are dated. Richard's original "In the Name" is sung in a compelling croon, and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" works well in its Stax-styled arrangement.

The album's closing cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Born on the Bayou" fits, but it reveals more about Richard's impact on John Fogerty than it provides an opportunity to create something new. Richard sounds engaged, but his producer wasn't able to craft a compelling showcase for his vocals, nor help him select material that offered the best vehicles for interpretation. After the electric jolt forward of The Rill Thing, this album is disappointing for its lack of new vision. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Richard takes on the "Top 40", June 25, 2009

By 

Phil S. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: King of Rock & Roll (Audio CD)

Another early '70s studio departure for Richard - in a production yielding almost nothing like his dynamic stage shows of the era. On 4-5 cuts, he sings like there's no tomorrow: Brown Sugar, Born On The Bayou, and a new song, co-written by Producer H. B. Barnum, Green Power, undoubtedly one his greatest recordings, vocally, and in relevance to the times. He adds a rare touch of irony to the proceedings, which will surprise even the most ardent worshippers.
No acoustic piano heard at all; obstrusive lady chorus getting in Richards' way and in the way of the band. On the few tracks where they are properly mixed, however, they sound fine.
Great title tune which was played like a single at the time - in the mood and structure of many '50s reflections, it coulda/shoulda been released as a 45 rpm...then Little Richard would have had another Top 40 hit for himself.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The King sits on his 70's Throne and I LOVE IT!!!, January 26, 2011

By 

Fancy R. Mccloney "Fancy Ray" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: King of Rock & Roll (Audio CD)

I've always LOVED this LP and it is one of my All Time Favorites! Lots of Great Soul Music: In The Name, Green Power (MUST HEAR), Dancing In The Street. Some Solid Rockers: Title Track, Midnight Special. Plus a couple of Richard's Over The Top Monologues: Joy To The World (++MUST HEAR++)and Born On a Bayou. In addition, ther is a couple nifty covers: The Way You Do The Things You Do, Brown Sugar, and the magnificent - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry -. I just think this album is FUN. "King Of Rock and Roll" gets alot of medicore/negative reviews and I think folks just miss the boat... Would I start my LR Collection here? No. Is it over-produced? Yes. Does it at time sound "cartoony"? Yes, but if you dig the wild/crazy Little Richard of the 70's - you will eat this album up!!!